LGBThttp://michiganradio.org
enJudge says Michigan must recognize same-sex marriages performed last Marchhttp://michiganradio.org/post/judge-says-michigan-must-recognize-same-sex-marriages-performed-last-march
<p>A federal judge says 300 gay and lesbian couples are legally married, and the state has to recognize them.</p><p>They were married on March 21, 2014. That’s the only day same-sex marriages were legal in Michigan. It was after a federal judge struck down the state’s same-sex marriage ban, and before an appeals court put that decision on hold.<span style="line-height: 1.5;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</span></p>Thu, 15 Jan 2015 18:19:48 +0000Rick Pluta20591 at http://michiganradio.orgJudge says Michigan must recognize same-sex marriages performed last MarchStory of gay high school teacher to illustrate lack of civil rights protectionshttp://michiganradio.org/post/story-gay-high-school-teacher-illustrate-lack-civil-rights-protections
<p><span style="font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 1.5;">In Michigan, you can be fired or denied housing for being gay. That's because there are no </span>LGBT<span style="font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 1.5;"> protections in the state's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act.</span></p>Wed, 17 Dec 2014 23:39:51 +0000Stateside Staff20313 at http://michiganradio.orgStory of gay high school teacher to illustrate lack of civil rights protectionsStateside for Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014http://michiganradio.org/post/stateside-wednesday-dec-17-2014
<p></p><p>Today on Stateside:</p><ul><li><span style="font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 1.5;">Open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act enters its second year. Marianne </span>Udow-Phillips<span style="font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 1.5;">, director of the Center for Healthcare Research and Transformation at the University of Michigan, was on the show to&nbsp;discuss it.</span></li><li>Federal law guarantees that children with disabilities have equal access to education, but is that really the case in practice? Sarah Alvarez with State of Opportunity and Bridge Magazine writer Ron French discuss what's actually the case for Michigan kids.</li></ul><p>Wed, 17 Dec 2014 23:38:10 +0000Stateside Staff20316 at http://michiganradio.orgStateside for Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014Prospects for "religious freedom" bill dim as protesters rallyhttp://michiganradio.org/post/prospects-religious-freedom-bill-dim-protesters-rally
<p>A couple hundred people showed up outside the state Capitol to protest House Bill 5958, which would create a Michigan Religious Freedom Restoration Act.</p><p></p><p>“Five-nine-five-eight is a license to discriminate!” the group chanted on a march around the Capitol and through downtown Lansing.</p><p></p><p></p><p>Bob Pratt of East Lansing was one of the protesters. He says it’s aimed at enabling discrimination against LGBT people.</p><p></p><p>“There’s no reason for a bill like this. And to then call it the religious freedom bill when it really is a license to discriminate,” he said. “It’s the freedom to discriminate against people that you don’t like and then hide behind religion for it.”</p><p>Wed, 17 Dec 2014 02:59:32 +0000Rick Pluta20300 at http://michiganradio.orgProspects for "religious freedom" bill dim as protesters rallyDetroit’s bankruptcy exodus, religious freedom bill confusion, and a fragrant renewable energy billhttp://michiganradio.org/post/detroit-s-bankruptcy-exodus-religious-freedom-bill-confusion-and-fragrant-renewable-energy-bill
<p>This week, Jack Lessenberry and Emily Fox discuss Detroit’s pending bankruptcy exit, confusion over the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, and a Senate bill that would count the burning of tires, used oil and other waste products as renewable energy.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Wed, 10 Dec 2014 17:16:59 +0000Emily Fox & Jack Lessenberry20216 at http://michiganradio.orgDetroit’s bankruptcy exodus, religious freedom bill confusion, and a fragrant renewable energy billA little revenge politics at the state Househttp://michiganradio.org/post/little-revenge-politics-state-house
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">The state House passed the Michigan Religious Freedom Restoration Act (</span>RFRA<span style="line-height: 1.5;">) yesterday and it’s fair to say it was a little dose of Republican Speaker </span>Jase<span style="line-height: 1.5;"> </span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">Bolger’s</span><span style="line-height: 1.5;"> “here’s-how-bad-it-can-get-if-you-don’t-play-along.”</span></p><p>The RFRA was supposed to move in tandem with a measure that would add protections based on sexual orientation to the state’s civil rights law. That was a version that Bolger said he would accept, as long as there was a separate bill that would provide some cover for people who have religious objections to gay rights.</p><p>But LGBT advocates said there also should be explicit protections for transgender people. Bolger said he wouldn’t support that.</p><p>So, Bolger got the RFRA passed last night, without moving on the LGBT&nbsp;protections, showing the LGBT community just what can happen when you cross him.</p><p>Fri, 05 Dec 2014 21:15:03 +0000Zoe Clark & Rick Pluta20171 at http://michiganradio.orgA little revenge politics at the state HouseUnequal by law: being gay in Michigan (an update)http://michiganradio.org/post/unequal-law-being-gay-michigan-update
<p>It would be foolish to do, but Michigan business owners could put up a “Straights Only” sign in the window. It would be legal. In fact, it’s legal for just about any business to turn away &nbsp;gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender citizens.</p><p>Under the leadership of Michigan House Speaker Jase Bolger and Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville, the Legislature has rejected the advice of business leaders and others who think LGBT people ought to be treated like every other citizen.</p>Fri, 05 Dec 2014 19:47:51 +0000Lester Graham20169 at http://michiganradio.orgUnequal by law: being gay in Michigan (an update)Conservatives shift attention from LGBT to religious rightshttp://michiganradio.org/post/conservatives-shift-attention-lgbt-religious-rights
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">Yesterday the choice of whether to add </span>LGBT<span style="line-height: 1.5;"> rights to the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act was stalled in the House Commerce Committee, and it looks like it will likely stay there.</span></p><p>Thu, 04 Dec 2014 22:56:53 +0000Stateside Staff20151 at http://michiganradio.orgConservatives shift attention from LGBT to religious rightsThe Michigan Legislature takes on LGBT civil rights and religious protectionshttp://michiganradio.org/post/michigan-legislature-takes-lgbt-civil-rights-and-religious-protections
<p>Each Thursday we talk Michigan politics with Susan Demas, publisher of Inside Michigan Politics, and Ken Sikkema, former Senate Majority Leader and Senior Policy Fellow at Public Sector Consultants.&nbsp; Thu, 04 Dec 2014 22:34:00 +0000Jennifer White20139 at http://michiganradio.orgThe Michigan Legislature takes on LGBT civil rights and religious protectionsMichigan GOP: We're not bigoted against gays – really! But those scary transgender people ... http://michiganradio.org/post/michigan-gop-were-not-bigoted-against-gays-really-those-scary-transgender-people
<p></p><p>There’s a time-honored political technique you might call the “big lie” theory. Basically, it works this way: If you tell the same outrageous lie over and over, no matter how big it is, eventually people will believe that at least some part of it is true.</p><p>Thu, 04 Dec 2014 16:33:16 +0000Jack Lessenberry20136 at http://michiganradio.orgMichigan GOP: We're not bigoted against gays – really! But those scary transgender people ... LGBT civil rights bill appears to have stalled; vote unlikely before year's endhttp://michiganradio.org/post/lgbt-civil-rights-bill-appears-have-stalled-vote-unlikely-years-end
<p>A state House committee adjourned today without voting on legislation that would add LGBT protections to Michigan’s civil rights law, and it appears the effort has stalled as the Legislature grows close to wrapping up for the year.Thu, 04 Dec 2014 02:01:12 +0000Rick Pluta20134 at http://michiganradio.orgLGBT civil rights bill appears to have stalled; vote unlikely before year's endDebate continues over LGBT billhttp://michiganradio.org/post/debate-continues-over-lgbt-bill
<p></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">Right now in Michigan, you can be fired from a job or be denied housing if you're gay. A group of </span>LGBT<span style="line-height: 1.5;"> rights advocates wants that changed.&nbsp;</span></p><p>Wed, 03 Dec 2014 22:01:08 +0000Stateside Staff20129 at http://michiganradio.orgDebate continues over LGBT billLGBT activists ready to “blow up” civil rights bill if it ignores gender identityhttp://michiganradio.org/post/lgbt-activists-ready-blow-civil-rights-bill-if-it-ignores-gender-identity
<p>Supporters of adding LGBT protections to Michigan’s civil rights law say they have enough votes in the Legislature to pass a bill before the end of the year. But they say that’s only if Republican leaders take up a version of the bill that includes protections for gender identity.</p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">Activists say a bill that leaves out protections for transgender people would cause more harm than good.</span></p>Fri, 21 Nov 2014 22:10:26 +0000Jake Neher19993 at http://michiganradio.orgLGBT activists ready to “blow up” civil rights bill if it ignores gender identityNine major Michigan businesses get top scores on LGBT equalityhttp://michiganradio.org/post/nine-major-michigan-businesses-get-top-scores-lgbt-equality
<p>Nine major businesses based in Michigan got top scores for workplace equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual&nbsp; and transgender workers.&nbsp; That's according to the 2015 <a href="http://hrc-assets.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com//files/assets/resources/CEI-2015.pdf#__utma=149406063.1699805725.1416407577.1416407577.1416407577.1&amp;__utmb=149406063.4.10.1416407577&amp;__utmc=149406063&amp;__utmx=-&amp;__utmz=149406063.1416407577.1.1.utmcsr=%28direct%29|utmccn=%28direct%29|utmcmd=%28none%29&amp;__utmv=-&amp;__utmk=205454736">Corporate Equality Index</a> released today by the Human Rights Campaign Fund, a leading national LGBT civil rights organization.</p><p>The Detroit 3 automakers were among those ranked highest - along with Kellogg, Steelcase, Whirlpool and Dow Chemical.</p><p>Wed, 19 Nov 2014 20:56:09 +0000Michigan Radio Newsroom19956 at http://michiganradio.orgNine major Michigan businesses get top scores on LGBT equalityNew study shows Michigan cities differ on LGBT equalityhttp://michiganradio.org/post/new-study-shows-michigan-cities-differ-lgbt-equality
<p>The Human Rights Campaign has issued this year's <a href="http://www.hrc.org/resources/entry/mei-2014-see-your-citys-score">Municipal Equality Index</a>, which measures how LGBT-friendly&nbsp;cities are.</p><p>Michigan's results are rather divided. East Lansing received a perfect score, making them one of only 15 cities in the country to get 100. Warren, on the other hand, received only a 10.</p>Tue, 18 Nov 2014 20:42:14 +0000Michigan Radio Newsroom19943 at http://michiganradio.orgNew study shows Michigan cities differ on LGBT equalityThe Michigan Legislature tackles LGBT civil rights protectionshttp://michiganradio.org/post/michigan-legislature-tackles-lgbt-civil-rights-protections
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">Yesterday, a federal judge ruled that Michigan’s law preventing public schools and municipalities from providing benefits to unmarried partners of employees was unconstitutional.</span></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">Critics of the law said it impacted same-sex couples almost exclusively.</span></p><p>The same day we also saw a bill introduced in the state House that would add protections for gays, lesbians, and bisexuals to Michigan’s civil rights law.</p><p>Susan Demas, publisher of Inside Michigan Politics, and Ken Sikkema, former Senate majority leader and senior policy fellow at Public Sector Consultants, joined me to talk about what it could mean for the Legislature and the state.</p><p>Here's our conversation:</p><p>Thu, 13 Nov 2014 22:30:00 +0000Jennifer White19873 at http://michiganradio.orgThe Michigan Legislature tackles LGBT civil rights protectionsCourt rules against Michigan ban on domestic partner benefitshttp://michiganradio.org/post/court-rules-against-michigan-ban-domestic-partner-benefits
<p></p><p>A federal judge has struck down a Michigan law that denies employer-sponsored benefits to many public employees in same-sex relationships.</p><p>The case was filed by five same-sex couples where one of the partners is employed by a local government or school district in Michigan. They challenged the law, which was adopted in 2011 by the Legislature and signed by Governor Rick Snyder.</p><p>US District Court Judge David Lawson issued a preliminary injunction against the law, and, now, has issued an order siding with the five couples. He says the case is not about same-sex marriage, which Michigan voters banned 10 years ago. He says the state adopted an unconstitutionally narrow definition of what makes up a family. And he says the law is rooted in official government hostility against people in same-sex relationships.</p><p>Thu, 13 Nov 2014 01:48:14 +0000Rick Pluta19871 at http://michiganradio.orgCourt rules against Michigan ban on domestic partner benefitsLGBT rights debate to pit LGB against Thttp://michiganradio.org/post/lgbt-rights-debate-pit-lgb-against-t
<p></p><p>A debate is shaping up in the Michigan House on whether Michigan’s civil rights law should be expanded to protect gays, lesbians, and bisexuals from discrimination. There’s also a fight brewing on whether those protections should extent to transgender people.</p><p>And House Speaker Jase Bolger (R-Marshall) said he would only support adding “sexual orientation” (but not “gender identity”) to the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act if the Legislature adopts a law to grant exceptions for many people with religious objections.</p>Thu, 13 Nov 2014 01:40:32 +0000Rick Pluta19869 at http://michiganradio.orgLGBT rights debate to pit LGB against TAnother Michigan community adds LGBT protections to its books, but does it help?http://michiganradio.org/post/another-michigan-community-adds-lgbt-protections-its-books-does-it-help
<p>As our investigative reporter Lester Graham <a href="http://michiganradio.org/post/why-it-legal-discriminate-against-lgbt-people-michigan-part-1">has&nbsp;reported</a>, it is perfectly legal to discriminate against gay and transgender&nbsp;people in Michigan. There's no federal law against it, and there's no state law preventing it.</p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5; font-size: 13.63px;">Some communities do try to prevent LGBT discrimination at the local level. &nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 1.5; font-size: 13.63px;">Equality Michigan <a href="http://www.unitymichigan.org/cities-with-ordinances/">lists 36 communities in Michigan with such laws</a> - and now, Macomb County has just been added to the list.</span></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5; font-size: 13.63px;">More from the Associated Press:</span></p><blockquote><p><span style="line-height: 1.5; font-size: 13.63px;">Macomb County authorities have passed a policy protecting county employees from discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation.</span></p><p>The county Board of Commissioners voted 8-5 for the change on Thursday. Commissioner Fred Miller spearheaded the policy initiative and says it will ensure county employees are treated based on "their merits," not on "who they love."</p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5; font-size: 13.63px;">...&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 1.5; font-size: 13.63px;">Macomb County officials say the new policy won't provide preferential treatment to one group over another. It employs about 2,600 people.</span></p><p>The county recently changed its human resources handbook to include language about sexual orientation.</p></blockquote><p>But even though there is a local law, it doesn't always prevent discrimination in that community.</p><p>Michigan Radio's Graham pointed out that these local laws fuel a misperception that the LGBT community is protected from discrimination:</p><blockquote><p>Part of the misperception about whether gay people are protected is the ongoing efforts at the local level. Twenty-two municipalities have approved protections for LGBT people through local ordinances. [There are more than 22 today.] But, those local laws vary widely in the protections offered. And even the strongest ordinances have problems.</p></blockquote><p>The problems are mainly around enforcement issues. The ordinances, critics say, can become a "paper tiger": the law is on the books, but no one is really watching.</p><p>Fri, 19 Sep 2014 14:40:19 +0000Mark Brush19173 at http://michiganradio.orgAnother Michigan community adds LGBT protections to its books, but does it help?Hopes of adding LGBT protections to civil rights law dashed as focus pivots to politicshttp://michiganradio.org/post/hopes-adding-lgbt-protections-civil-rights-law-dashed-focus-pivots-politics
<p>Democrats in Lansing are <a href="http://michiganradio.org/post/michigan-dems-push-news-bills-lgbt-protections">not waiting any longer</a> to push civil rights protections for gays, lesbians, and transgender people.</p><p>And the fact that Democrats are now out in front, signals this is no longer about adopting a policy, this is now political.</p><p>For several sessions, Democrats have introduced legislation to add LGBT protections to Michigan’s <a href="http://michiganradio.org/term/elliott-larsen-act">Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act</a>. But last year they were persuaded to wait by civil rights groups who at long last saw a policy success in their grasp. That’s <a href="http://michiganradio.org/post/gen-y-republican-lawmaker-takes-gay-rights-fight-lansing">if they could get a Republican to take the lead</a> (because, of course, the GOP runs the show in Lansing).</p><p></p><p>This week, however, those hopes essentially fell apart as prospective Republican co-sponsors bailed, and GOP leaders put unacceptable conditions on taking up the bill.</p><p>Now, the sole, lonely Republican publicly backing LGBT rights in the civil rights law, says he has not given up. “We’re still working and talking with colleagues and educating,” said Republican state Representative Frank Foster. Interestingly enough, as we<a href="http://michiganradio.org/post/gay-rights-continue-be-issue-michigans-gop-races"> talked about last month on It's Just Politics</a>, Foster lost his primary in August to a more socially conservative Republican. There's continued debate over whether or not &nbsp;his loss was do in part because of his support for adding LGBT rights to Elliott-Larsen.</p><p>Fri, 12 Sep 2014 19:30:20 +0000Zoe Clark & Rick Pluta19093 at http://michiganradio.orgHopes of adding LGBT protections to civil rights law dashed as focus pivots to politicsSenator Warren’s bill reminds me of Harry Truman’s "do-nothing Congress" movehttp://michiganradio.org/post/senator-warren-s-bill-reminds-me-harry-truman-s-do-nothing-congress-move
<div><p></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5; font-size: 13.63636302948px;">State Senator Rebekah Warren, D-Ann Arbor, looks absolutely nothing like Harry Truman, the </span>33rd<span style="line-height: 1.5; font-size: 13.63636302948px;"> President of the United States. Yet yesterday, when Warren introduced legislation to amend Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, he instantly came to mind.</span></p><p>And here’s why: Many people, especially the LGBT community and their allies, were excited when, with considerable fanfare, Warren introduced her bill. <a href="http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2013-2014/billintroduced/Senate/pdf/2014-SIB-1053.pdf">SB 1053</a> would make it illegal for anyone hiring employees or providing housing to discriminate against anyone based on sexual orientation or gender identity.</p><p>Identity, or expression. Her bill, as I understand it, would also make it illegal to refuse to hire or sell or serve or rent to anyone because you don’t like the way they dress or define themselves.</p><p>Fri, 12 Sep 2014 14:19:59 +0000Jack Lessenberry19084 at http://michiganradio.orgSenator Warren’s bill reminds me of Harry Truman’s "do-nothing Congress" moveWhat will happen in the Michigan Legislature between now and the election?http://michiganradio.org/post/what-will-happen-michigan-legislature-between-now-and-election
<p>The Legislature is back in session. Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville says in the 20 session days left between now and the end of the year he wants to find a plan to fix Michigan’s crumbling roads and a way to ease term limits on Michigan lawmakers.</p><p>However, adding LGBT protections to Michigan's civil rights law is proving to be an ongoing battle in the Legislature.</p><p>I spoke with Ken Sikkema, former Senate Majority Leader and Senior Policy Fellow at Public Sector Consultants, and Susan Demas, publisher of Inside Michigan Politics.</p><p>Here's our conversation.</p>
<p></p><p>Thu, 11 Sep 2014 21:30:00 +0000Jennifer White19065 at http://michiganradio.orgWhat will happen in the Michigan Legislature between now and the election?Michigan Dems push news bills on LGBT protectionshttp://michiganradio.org/post/michigan-dems-push-news-bills-lgbt-protections
<p></p><p>You can be fired, denied a job or housing in Michigan if you are gay. Michigan's civil rights law, the&nbsp;<a class="spell" href="https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1CHXU_enUS592US593&amp;espv=2&amp;biw=1600&amp;bih=732&amp;q=Elliott-Larsen+Civil+Rights+Act+LGBT&amp;spell=1&amp;sa=X&amp;ei=7QgSVL-GNMngPLHhgLAK&amp;ved=0CBoQvwUoAA" style="font-size: 18px; color: rgb(102, 0, 153); cursor: pointer; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><b style="font-size: 18px; color: rgb(102, 0, 153); cursor: pointer; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><i>Elliott</i></b><font color="#660099" face="arial, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="cursor: pointer;">-</span></font><b style="font-size: 18px; color: rgb(102, 0, 153); cursor: pointer; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><i>Larsen</i></b></a>&nbsp;Civil Rights Act, does not include LGBT protections, the same way it does for race, ethnicity, and gender.&nbsp;</p><p>But yesterday, Democrats at the state capitol proposed legislation to add sexual orientation and gender identity to Elliott-Larsen.&nbsp;</p><p>Jonathan Oosting of MLive says&nbsp;whether or not that public debate leads to action remains to be seen.</p><p>"There's certainly some belief that it's time to have this debate, although the way things went down this week has sort of raised some questions about&nbsp;how feasible it's going to be to get this through the Legislature," says Oosting.</p><p><em>* Listen to the interview with Jonathan Oosting above.</em></p><p>Thu, 11 Sep 2014 21:20:52 +0000Stateside Staff19080 at http://michiganradio.orgMichigan Dems push news bills on LGBT protectionsVote on LGBT rights not likely before November electionhttp://michiganradio.org/post/vote-lgbt-rights-not-likely-november-election
<p>Legislation that would add LGBT protections to Michigan’s anti-discrimination law will probably have to wait until after the November election.</p><p></p><p>Some supporters of the measure hoped lawmakers would take it up before voters go to the polls in November. But the bill has not even been introduced yet.</p><p></p><p>Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville, R-Monroe, says he wants to take up the issue. Be he does not expect to hold a vote until the Legislature’s “lame duck” session.</p><p></p>Tue, 09 Sep 2014 21:39:55 +0000Jake Neher19043 at http://michiganradio.orgVote on LGBT rights not likely before November electionGay teacher who says pregnancy got her fired speaks to Statesidehttp://michiganradio.org/post/gay-teacher-who-says-pregnancy-got-her-fired-speaks-stateside
<p></p><p>The firing of a pregnant teacher at Marian High School in Bloomfield Hills is making headlines.</p><p>For nine years, Barb Webb taught chemistry and coached various teams at the all-girls Catholic school.</p><p>Webb is a lesbian. She married her wife, Kristen, two years ago. Earlier this year, they found out they were expecting a baby.</p><p>Barb Webb's firing has ignited an emotional response on social media.</p><p>Many Marian alumnae, parents and supporters spoke out in support of Webb on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/502477063230529/">a Facebook page that has more than 4,000 members</a>.</p><p>On other sites, however, there are those who believe Webb violated the teachings of the Catholic Church, and, as such, the Catholic private school was well within its rights to fire her.</p><p>Tue, 09 Sep 2014 15:56:40 +0000Stateside Staff19022 at http://michiganradio.orgGay teacher who says pregnancy got her fired speaks to StatesideEducation groups join calls for LGBT rights in Michiganhttp://michiganradio.org/post/education-groups-join-calls-lgbt-rights-michigan
<p>The list of groups calling on state lawmakers to pass protections for LGBT people is growing. Organizations representing Michigan college, university, and school officials now say they support the measure.</p><p>They join more than 50 business and non-profit groups urging lawmakers to pass the legislation, which the coalition expects to be introduced next month.</p>Tue, 26 Aug 2014 22:09:21 +0000Jake Neher18871 at http://michiganradio.orgEducation groups join calls for LGBT rights in MichiganHow the Republican Party is struggling with the LGBT issuehttp://michiganradio.org/post/how-republican-party-struggling-lgbt-issue
<p>Thursday is the day we talk Michigan politics with Ken Sikkema, former Senate Majority Leader and senior policy fellow at Public Sector Consultants, and Susan Demas, publisher of Inside Michigan Politics.</p><p>Today we talk about the challenges facing Republicans in the Legislature as they figure out how to address lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender&nbsp;rights in the state.</p><p>Here’s our conversation:</p><p></p><p>Fri, 22 Aug 2014 16:12:05 +0000Jennifer White18825 at http://michiganradio.orgHow the Republican Party is struggling with the LGBT issueGay rights continue to be an issue in Michigan's GOP raceshttp://michiganradio.org/post/gay-rights-continue-be-issue-michigans-gop-races
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">Here we are, trying to shake some more truth out of Tuesday’s primary results. And there is still at least one lingering result that has people continuing to wonder what exactly happened and why. And that would be Republican Representative Frank Foster’s primary loss to Tea Party challenger Lee Chatfield.</span></p><p>It’s not that people didn’t think a Tea Party win was possible. In fact, the Tea Party took aim at quite a few GOP incumbents over their votes for the Medicaid expansion and the Common Core education standards.</p><p>But every single other incumbent state lawmaker survived.</p><p>In Foster’s case, though, there were a couple of distinctions. Foster was identified by a political newsletter as one of Lansing’s most lobbyist-wined and dined. It’s never good when an incumbent is targeted as having “gone native” in Lansing or D.C.</p><p>Fri, 08 Aug 2014 18:18:09 +0000Zoe Clark & Rick Pluta18675 at http://michiganradio.orgGay rights continue to be an issue in Michigan's GOP racesDespite waffling, Snyder did join call to add LGBT protections to state's civil rights lawhttp://michiganradio.org/post/despite-waffling-snyder-did-join-call-add-lgbt-protections-states-civil-rights-law
<p>This week at the annual Detroit Regional Chamber’s policy conference on Mackinac Island, Governor Snyder joined the chorus of people calling for an update to Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights act to include protections for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people… sort of.</p><p>There is a lot of spoon-feeding to the press here on the Island – a litany of press conferences and media scrums. And, yesterday, one of those press conferences was held by a group of business leaders who want LGBT protections rolled into the civil rights law.</p><p>Meanwhile, at almost the exact same time as these business leaders were making their announcement, the Governor was talking to us, telling us he thought the legislature ought to take the issue up.</p><p>But, did he actually endorse it? “I’m encouraging them to say there’s been a lot of dialog and discussion on this. It’s been healthy in the public and I think it could be an appropriate topic for the legislators to take up. I would appreciate that,” the Governor said. And, that statement is fairly typical of the multiple exchanges we had with the governor on this topic.</p><p>Fri, 30 May 2014 18:32:01 +0000Zoe Clark & Rick Pluta17810 at http://michiganradio.orgDespite waffling, Snyder did join call to add LGBT protections to state's civil rights lawChristian leaders speak up for same-sex marriage: "We stand with the God of compassion"http://michiganradio.org/post/christian-leaders-speak-same-sex-marriage-we-stand-god-compassion
<p>A group of Metro Detroit clergy leaders stood together Thursday to send a clear message: They support same-sex marriage and equal rights for LGBT people.</p><p>They also strongly condemned some of their fellow Michigan Christian leaders who are fighting to uphold the state’s ban on same-sex marriage.</p><p>Last week, a group of about 200, mostly Michigan-based black pastors declared that “the fight is on” to protect “traditional” marriage.</p>Fri, 23 May 2014 10:00:00 +0000Sarah Cwiek17730 at http://michiganradio.orgChristian leaders speak up for same-sex marriage: "We stand with the God of compassion"